Tillman exit won’t change plan

With losses, Motion Picture Fund intends closures

There’s no reconcilation in the standoff over the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s long-term care facility and the acute-care hospital, despite Tuesday night’s sudden departure of CEO David Tillman.

Both sides reiterated their positions Wednesday, with the MPTF insisting it will follow through on its plans to close down the facilities. Andy Suser, a leader of the grassroots group Saving the Lives of Our Own, told Daily Variety that a lawsuit will be filed if that occurs.

Fund execs have insisted that they can’t afford to keep the facilities open when they are losing nearly $1 million a month. “The financial imperatives that caused the board to make its decision haven’t changed,” spokeswoman Ellen Davis said.

Davis could not pinpoint when the facilities, which still house 60 patients, will be closed.

Tillman was replaced by board member Bob Beitcher, with the panel noting it would seek a successor.

Saving the Lives of Our Own rep Nancy Biederman said, “We stand ready to work with the MPTF board leadership in finding a CEO who understands the historical mission of the fund and who desires to restore and preserve the fund’s commitment to its historic mission and its long-term care unit.”

But Davis said the group would not be part of the search process, which is solely the board’s responsibility.